HC Deb 02 February 1966 vol 723 cc1083-5
36. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Attorney General in view of the statement by the Lord Chief Justice concerning the denials of justice caused by, inter alia, the shortage of appeal facilities to persons found guilty of criminal offences and by the shortage of judges, if he will now reconsider the recommendations of the Donovan Committee that solicitors as well as barristers should be eligible for appointment to the Bench; and if he will take steps to provide that distinguished university professors of law should also be eligible for appointment to the Bench.

The Attorney-General (Sir Elwyn Jones)

The Donovan Committee made no such recommendations. The Government propose to implement the recommendations it did make as soon as possible.

Mr. Hughes

Will my right hon. and learned Friend accept that my Question is in no way in derogation of the excellence of the British Bench or the British Bar, or the legal profession generally, members of which are amongst the ablest, most excellent and learned in the world, but is a realisation of present circumstances? Is he further aware that knowledge, judicial qualities and humanity are to be found as well in the universities? Is he further aware that there should be available—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. and learned Gentleman must learn to put his questions more concisely.

Mr. Hughes

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that knowledge, judicial qualities and humanity are to be found in universities as well as elsewhere and that this should be available from time to time when there is a dearth—

Mr. Speaker

Order. If supplementary questions are put as long as that I shall not let them be answered. The Attorney-General.

The Attorney-General

I assure my hon. and learned Friend that there is no lack of candidates among members of the Bar of appropriate quality to fulfil any judicial appointment to the High Court Bench that may be forthcoming. Professors who are qualified by membership of the Bar for a minimum period of ten years are, of course, eligible for appointment to the High Court Bench.

Sir J. Hobson

Does the phrase "as soon as possible" mean this Session? Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman recall that other promised legislation was said the other day to be coming "in due course" and we do not know whether or not that means this Session?

The Attorney-General

"As soon as possible" means as soon as possible—and that will, of course, depend upon the enthusiastic collaboration that the Government hope for from the Opposition in furthering the progress of the legislation now in the pipeline.